Pressure-applying apparatus for rubber footwear.



c. J. RANDALL. PRESSURE APPLYING APPARATUS'EQR RUBBER FOOTWEAR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-23. I913. 1,158,390.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

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C.- .I. RANDALL. PRESSURE APPLYING APPARATUS FOR RUBBER FQOTWEAR.

. APPLICATION rlLznAumzs. 1913. 1,158,390. Patented Oct. 26; 1915.

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- 0.1. RANDALL.

5, I PRESSURE APPLYING APPARATUS FOR RUBBER FOOTWEAR.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

APPLICA'ITION FILED AUG.23. l9l3.

5 M 4 w w a SHEETS-SHEET 3.

a plurality of boots while the same are UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER J. RANDALL, OF WALHJHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 BOSTON RUBBER SHOE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS;

' PRESSURE-APPLYING APPARATUS FOR RUBBER FOOTWEAR,

T 0 all whom it may concerh Be it known that I, CHESTER J. RANDALL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and resident of althaimcounty of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement' in Pressure-Applying Apparatus for Rubber Footwear, of which the following description, 'in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts. v

' This invention relates to pressure applying apparatus for use in the manufacture of rubber footwear.

The apparatus of my present invention is designed primarily for carrying out, upon rubber boots,'the process described in the 00 pending application of WV. E.- Piper, Serial No. 755,416. An apparatus for carrying out said process upon rubber footwear of the ordinary type, such as rubber shoes, over-shoes, etc, is described and claimed in the copending application, Serial No. 755,414, but my present invention is pri marily applicable to rubber boots, having a considerable length of upper stock. The advantages incident to the pressure applying "process upon such articles, prior to vulcan1Zat1on,;have been fully described in the applications above noted, and ii; is to secure the same advantages upon rubber boots and the like that I have devised the presentapparatus' My apparatus comprises a pressure remounted upon their respective lasts or trees,

and then-to subject the same to theapplication'of pressure on th'eeXterior layer or surface of the shoe, compressing, smoothing, and compacting the materials comprisingthe boot, firmly upon the last supporting it. I I

In orderito seeure' the fullest advantages incident to such application of pressure, it is necessary to provide means for the escape of the air within the layers of the boot, and between the boot materials and '.the last, so as to afford the proper didera so;

the boot material to the last. ;I first prepare the lasted boot by allixing ential pressure from the outer surface of To this end a seal of rubber or other suitable like elastic material between the top of the boot and the wood of the last'on which it is supported,

Specification of Letters Patent.

' a plan view on the line 6 lesser number as well. I *ard 1 is provided a base 2 onwhich a re-' movable drum or bell-shaped member} 3 is Patented. oct. 26, 1915.

Application filed August 23, 1913. Serial No: 786,318.

and preferably also providev a pipe from within said boot tree and seal to the open air, so that when pressure is appliedto the outer surface of the shoe materials, the air contained wlthin may escape.

Other features of the invention, novel combinations of parts, and details of con struction, will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, Figure 1 is a View, partly in section, of my pressure-applying apparatus, showing the removable drum, its cooperating base, and a rubber boot in ,position to be operated upon; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, of the means for joining the drum and base; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the drum; Fig. 4 is a view in cross s ectionof the base and partof the drum; Fig. 5 is a side view of the base; Fig. 6 is 6 of Fig.1; and Figs. 7', 8, and 9 are enlarged views, showing a modified form-of the sealing device and cap which may be employed.

In carrying out my invention in preferred form, as herein shown; I preferably arrange the apparatus for operation upon a plurality of pairs of boots; while only two such pairs are illustrated, it is of course, within the purview of the invention to arrange for a still larger number of pairs to be operated upon simultaneously, or for a On a suitable standadapted to cooperate, so'as' to constitute a pressure receiving receptacle in which the boots to be treated are placed. The base 21 is provided with-a plurality of interrupted locking lugs4 in thetform of screw threads and designed to cooperate with correspondingly interrupted and cooperating members 5, carried by an annular flange 6 bolted tothe base of the'bell 3 by suitable bolts 7, so that when the bell is lowered upon the base 2' and given a partial rotative turn, the cooperating members 5 and 4 will interlock and secure a wedging action in well known manner. The base 2 'is provided with an annular gi'ooi 'e or recess 8, preferably of V-shaped form and the flange 6 carries an annular gasket 9, secured by screws 10 (see Fig. 2) in position to fit intothe recess 8 as the hell 3 is lowered on the base, and to and form to substantially lit the top of the secure a substantially airtight joint between the base 2 andbell 3. To facilitate this airtight construction, I preifer to form the inner edge of the flange 6 on which the gasket 9 is carried, at a bevel, as indicated. at 11, to cooperate with the corresponding wedge or beveled outer portion of the groove 8, as shown, so that as pressure is applied to the inside of the bell 3 the gasket 9 will boot, 0r thelast on which the boot is made may extend and be fitted with the pipe 13.

In either case, a seal 16 or rubber or other suitable material is applied, covering the extreme upper portion of the rubber boot:

'15 and the bloclZH, or the seal 16 may ex: tend directly from the rubber of the boot to and around the pipe '13.

i It will be understood that the wooden last on which the shoe 15 is carried, is in sections, afi'ording air passage throughout the extent of its interior, and the pipe 13 is in open, communication with said air passage, either by extending it through the block 14: or into the top of the last, above explained. I

In order to control the bellii in a convenient manner, I have provided a frame- ,work 17 at diametrically opposite points of the apparatus, which may be secured to the base 2 by screws 18 and which frame carries on its inner side tracks 19. Preferably the frame 17 is in the form of an angle iron to carry-- the tracks 19 risen/integral portion thereof throughout the height, to constitute a guide for the bell 3 when it is released -from the base 2 for the purpose of removing of positioning the boots to be operated upon, or which-have been operated upon. Gross pieces 20 and 2,1 are secured to the top portions of the framework 17 with a spread sufficient to permit the bell 3 to be lifted between the same.

The flange 6 has grooved rollers 22 mounted at dian'ietrically opposite points to cooperate with the tracks 19 in ste'adying the hell 3, as it is raised and lowered, and in insuring that it will be in proper position so that the cooperating locking devices 4-;

and 5 will not re ister as the b 11 is lowered. b lhese rollers 22 are mounted. between L- shuped brackets 23 and 24-. respectively. with the pivot or axle for said rollers carried by the vertlcally extending portion of the brackets, as ciearly shown in Figs 3 and 6.

In order to limit the rotative movement ofthe hell 3, one of the brackets 23 has'1ts out-v ward extending portion elongated as indicated at 25 to carry an adjusting screw 26 in position to contact with the sidebfthep track 19. The corresponding,otherbracket 24: is provided with a similarly extending lug or arm 27 carrying an adjusting screw '28 in its outer end, also-in position to contact with the opposite side of the same track 19. This construction facilitates the 0- sitioning' of the bell 3 and base 2 so -t at during the partial rotation of the bell 3 to engage and lockthe cooperating threads-4 and 5, aswell as for the reverse movement to unlock the same so that the bell. may be" lifted, the adjustable stops 26 and 28 determinethe correct relative movement of the bell as will be readily understood. The hell 3 or flange 6 is also provided with handles 29 to aid, in the rot'ative movement just i'nentioned. i 1

The base E2 is provided with one or more inlet pipes 30 connected with any suitable source of pressure supply, and extending through the base 2, as In order to aid in the operation of lifting and lowering the hell 3, I preferably arrange a counterweight 31 which maybe connected through a. rope extending over pulleys 33 and 34- secured to the roof beams, or other suitable support, and connected with an eye-bolt in the top of the bell 3. A second rope 36 secured to the same eyebolt and extending over pulleys 37 and 38 and downwardly to within convenient reach indicated in Fig. 6.

of the operator, is also provided so that the hell 3 mayrbe lifted and lowered. With the counterweight 31 substantially. equaling the weight of the bell 3, this raising opera: tion is easily accomplished by one man, a book 39 serured to the side of the frame 17 serving as :1 catch for the rope (l to hold the bell when raised.

In Figs. '2'. 8, and 9 I have shown in detailed form a modified construction of'a cap and-rubber sealing device. which may be used to farilitate the positioning of the rubber boot in the apparatus and to 1 seal the top of the san'iequiclrly in. a substantially airtight manner. I prefer to use this modified construction. as an operator can place and seal the boots to be operated upon and removethe saiue niurli more quickly and etl'ectivelv than in the form of sealing mp naratus described above. As shown in Fig. 7, I use a metal cap -10 provided with a tubular boss 41 having a tapered ground joint to fit upon the stem 13 which may be permanently left screwed 'into the socket 12 in the base 2, this cup being preferably formed hollow and having a flange 42 formed around the upper rim thereof which is' adapted to contact directly with the top of a wooden. boot tree carrying the boot or shoe to. be aliixed 1n the apparatus. erab-ly the contourof the flange 40 is substant ially similar to that of the top of the boot tree applied thereto, although slight inequalities in form will be autom tically taken care of bythe rubber seal 43. l have illustrated a portion of a wooden boot tree ll, of sufficient length to have its top 4:5 projecting. beyond. the rubber shoe 46 thereon. In the top if) of the tree are bored sockets, 'one being indicated at 47 and the I cap 40 is provided with pins 48 to fit in said sockets, as will be readily understood on reference to Figs. 8 and 9. The rubber seal 43 is adapted to fit around the exterior of the flange 42 and to be drawn over the wooden portion of the boot tree and the top portion of the rubber shoe upper, so that it fits the same tightly and affords a substantially airtight seal frointhe cap 40 to the exterior of the rubber boot upper.

' Preferably the rubber seal 43 is provided with a reinforcing band 49 of extra rubber, canvas, or the'like, with its lowerportion curved slightly to fit around the flange 42 as indicated at'50, so that as the seal 43 is drawn over the boottree, it will hug the flange 42 tightly and. not be pulled thereover. This seal 43 may be left permanently upon the cap =10 and. simply slid. or drawn of)? of a boot upper and'last to facilitate removal of the same after the pressure applying apparatus. Fig. 9 shows in cross section on the lines 99 of Fig. 8 the seal 43 and cap 40 before the'sa-me is applied to a rubber shoe. In order to increase the sealvide same with a plurality of reinforcing bands as shown at 51 and 52, the upper band 52 being i appropr'ate position to cover the rim 53 as indicated in dotted lines of the top edge'ot the rubber hoot, this feature at fol-ding a more substantially air tight con struction and greater grasping hold on the upper and last than if the seal were oi uniform thickness and elasticity. It will be seen that the elasticity of the seal 43 will automatically take care of the slight inequalities in form or $128.01? therini 42, and the top of the woollen boot tre so that a considerable range of different boot trees may be utilized on the same cap 40, although I prefer to have the rim 42 of such caps of substantially equal contour with the tops of the trees on which they are to be used, The caps l0 may be applied to the boot and then set on to the taper tops of the stems .13 which are in convenient position to hold the same Within the pressure drum.

In the operation of my apparatus, the bell 3 being raised in uppermost position, the operator will place a plurality of pairs of lasted boots in position on the base 2 by threading the pipes 13 of each in the respecmy; action of the member 43, I prefer to pro-' 39, allowing the bell 3 to slide downwardly, while the rollers are guided on the re spective tracks 19. \Vh'en in lowered position, the operator then, by means of the? handles 29, gives the bell a. partial rotative movement tolock the cooperating thread- .ator thenreleases the rope 36 from the hook 7a ed portions at and 5 and wedge the bell and base 2 together, the lower portionsot' the tracks 19 being cut away to permit the rolls 22 to swing by during this rotatiye inoveso" iinent. .The stop 28 limits such rotati e movementby contacting with the side ota" track 19. The operator then turns'on the pressure supply through the pipes 30 until the desired pressure is securedwithin'the hell 3, approximately orpounds This pressure forces the various layers constituting the upper materials of each boot firmly, s idly, and compactly against the wood of the last on which it is contained, all 90 excess air within the outer-surface of such boot materials being forced out through the inner sections of the tree or last, and out of the pipe 13 (or through the cap 40'); into the open air. If the seal 16 is tight about both 9 upper and pipe, and there is nodeakage" whatever in the bell, the pressure supply may be shut off when. the deslred aniounthas been. reached and the boots lett -under 1 4. said pressure tor such length or time as may 100 be found necesary, to eli e ctually and per; manently smooth out all. wrinkles in the pleted article ready for the "vulcanizi 'ng process. In case the seal. is not substantially air tight, a small. supply-of pressur may be continuously turned on to nuiintzr thedesired press re. lit will be ui'n'le this precast of applying pike footwear as a step in the uiaimtac are of such articles, prior-to vulcanization, takes the place of the former band rolling operations which hare heretofore been necessary, in order to smooth out thewrinlcles. properly compress the various layers in the shoe, fitting he shoe to the last in preparing the article r vulcanization, as more fully ex plainedin said prio. applications. After the boots have been maintained within the pressure atl'ordeii for a suitable length ct time, tic pres-sun released by' opening a valve in the pipe or pipes 30 (not shown), and the operator rci'erses the rot-m re movement of the hell I" with the side of t the bell will be iv ion so that the rollers 22 will meet tlie' t-racks 15) as the bell is raised and the int-EL. pted portions of: the locking threads 4 and. will be in position eed that to rubber 11G until the stop 1th contacts to permit tlie samev to pass and allow the bell to be raised, when the boots are removed and the next boots to be operated upon are fitted in place.

' 'WVhile it is not essential that the bell 3 be absolutely airtight, Iprefer to have the same substantially so, and the gasket 9 and threaded connections between the pipes 13- insures a substantially air tight construction, the internal pressure against the gasket 9 wedging the'sameinto the coiiperating beveled faces of the flange 6 and base 2.

WVhile I have described the apparatus 1 herein illustrated as intended primarily for use in operating upon boots, it is, of course, j possible vto use the-same, upon shoes, pro vidingthat a seal isautilized, similar to the.

' seal .-16,"h'erein illustrated.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. In an apparatus of the class'described, a base member, a receptacle cooperating with ,said base member,.means supported by saidbase member to hold a plurality of.

' lasted boots, and means to supply pressure within said receptaclesimultaneously to the outer surfacesmt the sole and upper of each boot.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a base member, a receptacle cotiperating withsaid base member, means supported by said base member .to hold a plurality of means to hol lasted boots, and means to supply uniform pressure within said receptacle simultaneously to the outer surfaces of the sole and upper of each boot.

- 3.-"In an ap aratus of theclass described, a plurality of lasted boots, and means to supply pressure to the outer. surfaces of the sole and upper of each boot,

..incombination with means permitting the air within each comprising a movablebell and a base co operating therewith, means to lock said bell and base together, a plurality of supports for a plurality of lasted boots, and means to exert differential pressure on the outer and inner surfaces of the boot to compress same.

means, to render the joint between said base and bell substantially airtight by having a compressible member carried by one part and cooperating with a groove carried by the other part.

7. An apparatus of the kind described, comprising movable bell and a base cooperating therewith, and means to lock said bell and base together, comprising a flan e on the bell having internal segmental threa members cooperating with corresponding segmental thread members on the base, whereby a relative partial revolution will effect the locking of the bell and base together. Y

8. In an apparatus of the kind described, a metallic cap adapted to fit the top of a boot tree to be operated upon, said cap having an outlet from its interior to the outer air, and an elastic sealing means carried by said cap and adapted to fit around boot trees of varying sizes.

9. In an apparatus of the kind described, a metallic cap having a flange adapted to fit substantially the contour of a boot tree, said cap having an outlet from its interior to the outer air, means carried by said cap to hold the cap and boot tree in relative as-i sembled position, and means for providing a substantially air tight seal from said cap to a' boot upper applied to the saidboot tree.

10. In an apparatus of the kind described, a metallic cap having a plurality of pins adapted to hold a boot tree thereon, said cap having an outlet from its interior to the outer air, and means for providing a substantially air tight seal from the-exterior of the cap'to and around the exterior of a boot and boot tree applied thereto.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, 1n the presencev of two subscribing witnesses.

CHESTER J. RANDALL.

Witnesses:

JAMES R. Honnnn, H- Fnnnnnioxl oorn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, I). 0., 

